High School Highest Potential - 1829 Words

Highest Potential As a junior in high school, I have recently become interested in psychology. While studying psychology/sociology this previous year, I have become drawn to the topic of human potential. After gathering what I have learned, it turns out most people want to live their life to the fullest by becoming all they can be. To reach this fulfillment of a higher/better self is known as self-actualization. A major problem for many people today is reaching their full potential, although the potential already lies within them. Everyone has the power to succeed and to become self-actualized. All it takes is to become an optimistic, realistic, and problem centered individual. So what is stealing people’s happiness and the ability to†¦show more content†¦To become a self-actualized person, people must first meet certain needs. Abraham Maslow, founder of humanistic psychology had focused on the positive sides of mental health ( WGBH,† People and Discoveries Abra ham Maslow†). In his studies and interests dealing with human potential, Maslow had created a pyramid known as the Hierarchy of Needs. This pyramid consisted of five levels: physiological needs, safety needs, belonging needs, esteem needs, and self- actualization needs. Maslow believed people have an inborn desire to be self-actualized, and people who dealt with managing the higher needs were what he called self-actualizing people (WGBH,† People and Discoveries Abraham Maslow†). The more each lower-level need was satisfied more the next higher-level need would be satisfied (Taormina â€Å"Maslow and the Motivation Hierarch†). In addition, family support, traditional values, and life satisfaction had significant positive correlations with the satisfactions of all levels (Taormina, â€Å"Maslow and the Motivation Hierarchy†). To become a self-actualizing individual, people must reach all these needs listed and described in the following paragraphs. Starting from the bottom of the pyramid is physiological needs. These necessities are survival based; the need for food, water, and rest. This consists of the most basic needs. All levels out of the pyramid come secondary until these physiological needs are met (Tay L. Diener, â⠂¬Å"Maslow’s